Programs & Services

Health and Human Services

The Mille Lacs Band operates three clinic locations across the reservation to make high-quality health care available to Band members. The Band also offers public health services to Band communities, behavioral health services, family services such as child welfare and foster care services, and community support services to assist Elders and Band members in need.

H1N1 Prevention

H1N1 vaccines available to all patients at reservation clinics

The Ne-Ia-Shing Clinic, Aazhoomog Clinic, and District II Clinic at East Lake now have enough inventory of the H1N1 influenza vaccine so that people of all ages are urged to come in for vaccination.  Our vaccine is available to registered clinic patients, Mille Lacs Band members, non-Band member American Indians, and spouses or significant others who live in the Band’s service delivery area.

Vaccination appointments are available several days of the week at each clinic; please call ahead to schedule a convenient time with a nurse.  The clinics can be reached at:

·        Ne-Ia-Shing Clinic:  320/532-4163

·        Aazhoomog Clinic:  320/384-0149

·        District II Clinic at East Lake:  218/768-3311

If you do not live in the Mille Lacs Band’s service delivery area or you cannot come to the clinic during normal business hours, you may also contact the public health agency in the county in which you live to ask about additional H1N1 vaccination clinics.

Shot vs. mist

Both the shot and the mist are available at the Band’s clinics.  Each person is screened at his or her appointment to determine which option is most appropriate.  Please keep in mind that children ages six months through nine years must receive a series of two doses; older children and adults need only one dose

Third wave of H1N1 anticipated

H1N1 cases may have subsided recently after a strong second wave of the virus hit Minnesota in October and November, but experts are cautioning everyone to not let down their guards.  Many experts anticipate a third wave of H1N1 in January and February.

Prevention

To help reduce the spread of H1N1 and seasonal flu, please take the following precautions in addition to getting vaccinated:

·         Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

·         Sanitize door knobs, handles, and other surfaces that are frequently touched.

·         If you have a fever or flu-like symptoms, stay home until 24 hours after your fever ends.

Flu-like symptoms

The Mille Lacs Band’s Health and Human Services Department continues to monitor all reservation districts for patients with “flu-like symptoms.” Medical providers across Minnesota are only testing patients for H1N1 if they are hospitalized with severe “flu-like symptoms.” Those who go to clinics will not be tested. Instead, they will be informed that they may have either seasonal flu or H1N1 since both have the same symptoms.

Treatments for the seasonal flu and H1N1 are also the same: 

·        Allow adequate time for rest.

·        Drink lots of fluids.

·        Do not return to school or work until 24 hours after the fever breaks.

For more information

The Minnesota Department of Health has a Statewide Flu Information Line available at 866/259-4655.

For more information, please call the triage nurse at Ne-Ia-Shing Clinic at 320/532-4163.